Sandwich wrap and method of unwrapping a sandwich

ABSTRACT

A sandwich wrap includes a base strip to which a sheet wrap is affixed, the sheet wrap extending beyond two opposing edges of the base strip. To wrap a sandwich, the sheet wrap is wrapped around the sandwich and the base strip is folded around the sheet wrap. The ends of the base strip are secured together either permanently or removably. To gain access to the sandwich, the consumer either disconnects the ends of the base strip and unfolds the sheet wrap, or the consumer removes a tear strip which divides the base strip into half-sections, whereby the user may discard one of the half sections and grip the other half section to hold the sandwich.

PRIOR APPLICATION

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/148,074 filed Aug. 10, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to sheet wraps for wrapping food products. More particularly, the present invention pertains to sandwich wraps useful in wrapping sandwiches, and to a method of unwrapping a sandwich.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Food products, such as sandwiches, that are sold in fast food-type of restaurants are typically packaged in one of several different types of packages to protect the food product until it is consumed. One type of package involves the use of flat paper sheet wrap. The sandwich is placed on a flat paper sheet which is then folded around the sandwich. The paper sheet is typically held in place by tucking the free edges or corners of the sheet under the sandwich. The wrapped sandwich can then be placed in a storage bin for future sale or may be placed in a bag for being carried out of the restaurant.

[0004] It has been found, however, that this type of packaging suffers from several disadvantages. In one respect, when the packaged sandwich is placed in a storage bin for later sale or in a bag for transportation and later consumption, the paper sheet wrap has a tendency to come unwrapped.

[0005] Known paper sheet wraps include minimal crush-resistant properties, such as rigidity, to help prevent a packaged or wrapped sandwich from being crushed. Consequently, sandwiches packages in such materials are prone to being crushed when stored in a storage bin or placed in a bag with other items. Although other types of packaging materials such as foam and paperboard cartons have been used to protect the packaged sandwich, these cartons require a significant amount of storage space as a result of their construction. Also, it is necessary for the consumer to remove the sandwich from the carton in order to eat it. That can involve sanitary problems, for example, in the case of sandwiches purchased at a drive-through window of a restaurant, since the consumer normally would not be able to wash his or her hands before eating, and may attempt to consume the sandwich while riding in, or even driving, a moving (bouncing) vehicle. Food items such as lettuce, pickles, chopped onions, tomatoes, etc. may fall from the sandwich and onto the consumer as it is being eaten under those conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to a sandwich wrap which comprises a base strip and sheet wrap sections attached to the base strip. The base strip is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the base strip. The base strip includes two side edges extending generally in the longitudinal direction, and two opposite ends. A tear line is formed along the base strip between the side edges and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction. The sheet wrap sections are attached to the base strip and extend from respective ones of the side edges. The sheet wrap sections are more pliable than the base strip. The base strip and the sheet wrap sections are foldable around the sandwich. The base strip is severable along the tear line, while containing the sandwich, to form the base strip into respective sections.

[0007] The invention also relates to a method of unwrapping a sandwich which has been wrapped by the above-described sandwich wrap. That method comprises manually severing the base strip along the tear line to form the base strip into two sections, and manually removing one of the base strip sections from around the sandwich, leaving the other base strip section disposed around the sandwich to be held by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like elements and in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a sandwich wrap according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 40 in FIG. 1 as the sheet portion of the wrap is being folded onto a sandwich;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 42 in FIG. 1 as the base strip is being folded around the sandwich;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a package formed in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a top view of the package depicted in FIG. 5;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the package depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6;

[0016]FIG. 8 is a side view taken in the direction of arrow 31 in FIG. 7 or in the direction of arrow 54 in FIG. 12;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 as sections of a tear strip are in the process of being removed;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a schematic side elevational view depicting the manner of removing the tear strip sections;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the package after the tear strip has been completely removed to divide the wrap into half-sections;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 51 in FIG. 11 after one of the half sections of the wrap has been discarded in the direction of arrow 53 in FIG. 11;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 of another side of the package;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of an alternative embodiment according to the present invention; and

[0023]FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of yet another alternative embodiment according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A sandwich wrap 10 depicted in FIG. 1 comprises a relatively stiff base strip 12 and a highly pliant sheet 14 attached thereto. The sheet 14 extends beyond two parallel longitudinally extending side edges 12 a, 12 b of the base strip 12. The base strip 12 could be of any suitable type, such as paperboard or plastic, for example, and the sheet 14 could be any suitable light-weight sheet material, such as tissue paper for example.

[0025] Alternatively, if heat retention properties are desired, the sheet could comprise a Quilt-Rap® material typically in the form of a three-ply laminated structure consisting of a polyethylene layer laminated between two outer paper layers (e.g., tissue paper).

[0026] The base strip 12 contains a pair of parallel longitudinal score lines 20 extending the entire length of the strip 12, i.e., from one end edge 12 a to the other end edge 12 b, to define therebetween a tear strip 22. The tear strip 22 is severed near its midpoint by a transverse cut line 24 to be divided into a pair of tear strip sections 22 a, 22 b. The score lines 20 could extend in the machine direction or the cross direction of the strip 12.

[0027] The strip 12 also includes a plurality of parallel, transverse fold lines 26 a, 26 b, 28 a, 28 b formed by transverse score lines. The fold lines divide the strip longitudinally into a top panel 30 t, a pair of identical side panels 30 s, and a pair of bottom panels 30 b, 32 b.

[0028] The end edges 12 a, 12 b can be secured together by connecting elements. For example at one end of the strip 12, i.e., along an edge of the bottom panel 30 b, there is provided a pair of lock tabs 34, and the other bottom panel 32 b contains a pair of slits 36 intersected by respective apertures 38. As will be explained, the slits 36 are adapted to receive respective back tabs 34. Alternative to the use of two of the tabs, a single tab and slit could be employed.

[0029] To use the sandwich wrap 1 0, the wrap would be placed on a support surface, and a sandwich S would be placed on the wrap in overlying relationship to the top panel 30 t (see the phantom lines in FIG. 1). Then, the sheet 14 is folded up and over the sandwich, as shown in FIG. 3 which is a view taken in the direction of arrow 40 in FIG. 1. At the same time, the ends of the strip 12 are raised, as shown in FIG. 4 which is a view taken in the direction of arrow 42 in FIG. 1. The strip is folded along the score lines 26 a,b and 28 a,b, whereby the bottom panels 30 b, 32 b come together at the top of the sandwich, and the locking tabs 34 are inserted into respective slits 36 to lock the bottom panels together, as shown in FIG. 5. The resulting package P comprised of the sandwich S and the wrap 10 is then flipped over to expose the top panel 30 t (FIG. 6).

[0030] The consumer has two options for eating the sandwich. For example, the consumer can unlock the tabs 34, unfold the wrap, and pick the sandwich out of the wrap. That could be the method of choice if the consumer were, for example, eating the sandwich at a table.

[0031] The other option involves pulling off the tear strip sections 22 a, 22 b to divide the wrap 10 into two separate sections 50,52. Then, one of the sections 52 is discarded in the direction of arrow 53, leaving the sandwich S seated in the other of the sections (e.g., section 50—see FIG. 12) which can be held by the consumer to grip the sandwich as he/she eats the sandwich. Sanitary conditions are maintained, because the consumer's hands do not come into direct contact with the sandwich, and any food items (e.g., lettuce, onions, pickles, tomatoes, sauce, etc.) dropping from the sandwich fall onto the sheet 14 (see FIG. 8 which is a view in the direction of the arrow 54 of FIG. 12). That could be the method of choice if the consumer were eating the sandwich in a vehicle, or from his/her lap.

[0032] The ends of the base strip can be secured together by any suitable connecting means other than a locking tab arrangement. For example, the strip ends could be secured by adhesive, e.g., adhesive strips, or pieces of tape 60, as shown in FIG. 14. The tape pieces could be initially attached to one of the end edges and then attached to the other end edge after removing pieces of backing material. In the event that it is not intended to give the user the option of separating the ends of the base strip from one another, the tape or adhesive strips could be of the non-removable type. Then, the consumer would be required to remove the tear strip 22.

[0033] Also, instead of providing a pair of score lines 20 for forming a tear strip 22, there could instead be formed only a single score line 62, as shown in FIG. 15, to be severed by the consumer.

[0034] Although the present invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, and substitutions not specifically described may be made. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sandwich wrap comprising: a base strip elongated in a longitudinal direction of the base strip, the base strip including two side edges extending generally in the longitudinal direction, and two opposite ends, a tear line formed along the base strip between the side edges and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction; and sheet wrap sections attached to the base strip and extending from respective ones of the side edges, the sheet wrap sections being more pliable than the base strip; the base strip and the sheet wrap sections being foldable around a sandwich, and the base strip being severable along the tear line, while containing the sandwich, to form the base strip into respective sections.
 2. The sandwich wrap according to claim 1 wherein the tear line comprises perforations.
 3. The sandwich wrap according to claim 2 wherein there are two of the tear lines extending parallel to one another to define a tear strip.
 4. The sandwich wrap according to claim 3 wherein the tear strip extends from one end of the base strip to the other end.
 5. The sandwich wrap according to claim 4 wherein the tear strip includes a transverse cut line located intermediate the ends of the base strip for dividing the tear strip into two tear strip sections.
 6. The sandwich wrap according to claim 5 wherein the base strip includes a plurality of fold lines extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
 7. The sandwich wrap according to claim 6 wherein the end edges include connecting means for enabling one end to be attached to the other end.
 8. The sandwich wrap according to claim 7 wherein the connecting means comprises at least one tab formed on one end for securement in a respective slit formed in the other end.
 9. The sandwich wrap according to claim 7 wherein the connecting means comprises adhesive.
 10. The sandwich wrap according to claim 9 wherein the adhesive is disposed on a piece of tape.
 11. The sandwich wrap according to claim 1 wherein the sheet wrap sections comprise paper.
 12. The sandwich wrap according to claim 1 wherein the base strip comprises paperboard.
 13. The sandwich wrap according to claim 1 wherein there are two of the tear lines extending parallel to one another to define a tear strip.
 14. The sandwich wrap according to claim 13 wherein the tear strip extends from one end of the base strip to the other end.
 15. The sandwich wrap according to claim 14 wherein the tear strip includes a transverse cut line located intermediate the ends of the base strip for dividing the tear strip into two tear strip sections.
 16. The sandwich wrap according to claim 1 wherein the base strip includes a plurality of fold lines extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
 17. The sandwich wrap according to claim 1 wherein the end edges include connecting means for enabling one end to be attached to the other end.
 18. The sandwich wrap according to claim 17 wherein the connecting means comprises at least one tab formed on one end for securement in a respective slit formed in the other end.
 19. The sandwich wrap according to claim 17 wherein the connecting means comprises adhesive.
 20. The sandwich wrap according to claim 19 wherein the adhesive is disposed on a piece of tape.
 21. The sandwich wrap according to claim 17 wherein the sheet wrap sections comprise tissue paper, and the base strip comprises paperboard.
 22. A method of unwrapping a sandwich wrapped in a sandwich wrap comprising a base strip elongated in a longitudinal direction of the base strip, the base strip including two side edges extending generally in the longitudinal direction, and two opposite ends, a tear line formed along the base strip between the side edges and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction; and sheet wrap sections attached to the base strip and extending from respective ones of the side edges, the sheet warp sections being more pliable than the base strip; the sheet wrap sections folded around the sandwich, and the base strip bent around the folded paper with its ends secured together, the method comprising the steps of: A) manually severing the base strip along the tear line to form the base strip into two sections; and B) manually removing one of the base strip sections from around the sandwich, leaving the other base strip section around the sandwich to be held by a user. 